Kitanna
Chapter 86: I’M BACK!

Chapter 86: I’M BACK!

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: OUTRO ; HOUSE OF CARDS~ BTS]

Larel made sure she was not seen outside when the queen dowager or the king was there. She waited for everyone to sleep before going to pick out her food, and then she went back inside her room. To others, that was only what she did, but there was more to what met the eyes. Kitanna had told her how to fight without having to use violence, and she had already started her silent battles without anyone knowing about it.

The first was to live her life like she was unaffected by the punishment given to her by the queen dowager, and it was very easy. She didn’t complain even when her jewelries were taken away from her; the second fight would only start when Kitanna returns from her journey.

Larel rubbed her eyes; she had slept very early the other night. In fact, she sleeps early these days because there was nothing for her to do. Sitting up on her bed, she counted her fingers. It’s been over five days since the princess left the palace. Larel washed her face and prayed for the safety of the young princess.

...

Sitting inside the lotus pond shed, two elderly women of the palace enjoyed the soft morning sun, with maids who were standing a little far from their side but still had their heads bowed.

"Have you received any news from the spies you sent to watch Kitanna?" Deonisia asked her cousin; so many days have passed, and they had no idea where Kitanna was or which of the mountains she traveled to.

"No... but what if she didn’t survive the ailment?" Almaria decided that it would be the only reason why no information was sent to her.

Deonisia had a bad feeling about everything, but she kept quiet; she didn’t want to jinx it. Grabbing her tea cup, which was almost on her lips when one of the maids ran inside the shed.

"She’s back..." the maid announced.

Deonisia dropped her cup harshly; she didn’t need to be told the name to know it was their terror who was now back to torment them. She turned to look at Almaria.

"Don’t worry, what if her health worsened let’s go see her at the entrance." Almaria, still being optimistic, stood up from her sitting pillow; the maid helped her arrange properly the part of her gown which was crumpled because of her sitting position.

Almaria hid her hand behind her dressing, and she stepped out of the place, praying that Kitanna’s health had only worsened and she didn’t come back to torment them.

Deonisia looked at her tea cup; she noticed there was a slight crack on it. And in their tradition, it only meant bad luck; she rubbed her face and followed Almaria behind.

Outside the palace gate, Kitanna, who was no longer dressed in the same clothes as when she was in Odel, wore a gown that was befitting to her title. They made a stop before reaching the palace; Nix gave Chantal something to change into. Even though the young man still had the crude look on his face, but with his dressing, it was a little subtle, just his rough hair, that gave away.

The trio stepped inside the palace; Kitanna felt even more confident. She used to think that she was left all alone in this palace to fight for her survival. But after meeting Nix, which was the turning point of her life. She realized that family did not always have to be by blood. Now, she had people behind her, both literally and figuratively.

She caught sight of Almaria rushing towards the entrance of the palace, and she gave out her best smile to the woman who did not return it. But that was not a problem, Kitanna thought.

"Welcome back Kit," Khelan, who also heard the news, came out to welcome Kitanna, and standing beside him was heavily pregnant Bareea who said nothing but just bowed.

"Thank you, King Khelan; I’m most honored to have the king welcome me, especially after my spiritual journey." Kitanna, who didn’t bow, but just smiled, said to Khelan.

Almaria noticed how confident Kitanna looked, not that she never looked confident, but there was something about her new look that just radiated all over her.

"You didn’t return with your carriage and the men I sent to assist you?" Almaria craned her neck to look outside the palace; it was just three horses. Her eyes suspiciously narrowed to look at Kitanna.

"Those men." She bowed with her hands pressed together, "God bless their soul; you were a catalyst for them in finding their spiritual awakening. We got to the mountains; they decided to stay back and start their spiritual journey of being better people." Her words were casual but there was just something taunting about it.

Almaria knew it was a lie but she pretended to smile. "Then who is this young man here, don’t tell me you brought someone crude to stay inside the palace." Her eyes moved to look at Chantal then back at Kitanna.

"Crude, you say? This is Nix’s brother." Those words got Nix, who had been standing there without any expression on his face; he was rather bored and wanted to go inside. Now hearing his name, he turned to look at the princess.

"I figured you’ve been feeling unsafe lately because of threats against the throne; I said to myself as a good daughter, what better way to help my mother. If not give her a guard who will watch over her, just like she did for me when I lost my memory." Kitanna’s words struck a nerve on Almaria’s neck. She cleared her throat.

"I don’t need any guards," the queen dowager who was now losing her cool backfired. Deonisia noticed this, and she touched Almaria’s back gently.

Khelan, who did not understand the silent battle, said to them, "I’m glad the princess is safe; let’s now all go inside the palace. I’m sure she was so tired during this journey." He announced.

Khelan and Bareea stepped inside the palace; Kitanna climbed the stairs gently, when she got to where Almaria stood she knowingly missed her steps to fall on the woman.

"You should get ready; the road won’t be smooth starting now. And let’s stop putting this act of love of mother and daughter in front of others. My face is beginning to hurt from it." Almaria wide-eyed turned to look at Kitanna, and she saw there was no smile in her eyes or even the mischievous grin.

The maids who were present rushed to help them up, but Kitanna raised her hands, "I’m fine; you can help the queen dowager seems age is coming faster." Without any courtesy Kitanna ascended the stairs and she turned to smirk at Deonisia.

Nix and Chantal followed her behind, leaving on the ground a gobsmacked Almaria.

Almaria touched her heart, and it was racing like never before. She slowly stood by herself and turned to where the princess just entered.

Deonisia, who also noticed Kitanna’s lips move when she had tripped, came to stand beside Almaria. "You spoke too soon about her sickness being worst" that was the only thing she could think of at the moment.

"She knows..." Almaria whispered.

.....

Larel rushed out of her room when she heard the princess was back; she ran to the royal court, and when Bareea saw her. The frown on her face deepened.

"Larel, you were asked not to step foot into this room" Bareea warned with a stern voice.

"And who are you to say that to me?" Larel backfired. "If checked my origin, I am a noble born so mind the words you use with me."

Bareea held her stomach; she didn’t expect the reply from the timid queen. She opened her lips to complain again when she heard Kitanna’s voice.

"Bareea is that wings I now see behind you, talking to the queen in such a manner. Someone you were brushing her feet few moons back; don’t let me assume you have been this ambitious waiting for the right time to show your tentacles." Kitanna grinned but her words cut through Bareea’s chest.

Larel rushed to hug the princess tightly. She was very happy to see her back.

"Welcome back Princess Kitanna" Larel whispered.

"I see it wasn’t easy for you too. Don’t worry; it only gets better."

Khelan walked inside the room, and when he saw Larel, his eyes narrowed subtly.

"King Khelan, not like I expected much from you but I thought at least you will treat your wife better. She saved you; she helped you stop the promiscuous lifestyle you had been living. Now you tossed her aside, for that one?" Kitanna pointed at Bareea.

"Kit, stop it. Bareea is now a concubine. You should give her the respect she deserves." Khelan warned.

In a low voice, she whispered under her breath, "That is what happens when you give power to idiots."

"What did you say?" Khelan asked.

"Nothing nothing, I said I’m back, things will change for better." Kitanna took Larel by the hand and walked out of the room.